Push to bring a cruise terminal to Mount Pleasant discussed in public input meeting

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCBD)- A push to bring a cruise ship terminal to Mount Pleasant was center stage at a public input meeting Monday morning.

Over a dozen people voiced their opinions. A few were opposed but the majority were in favor.

At the end of this year, cruise ships will no longer be able to dock at Union Pier in Downtown Charleston, as Carnival Cruise Line’s contract with the ports authority is set to expire.

Now some people are hoping Mount Pleasant will take over as the Lowcountry’s next cruise terminal.

Benjamin Flowers Jr. is the Vice President of the International Longshoreman’s Association, a union that hires people out to load and unload cruise passenger’s luggage.

“We’re concerned about over 500 to 800 jobs per week,” Flowers said.

With cruises leaving the downtown Charleston port, he’s worried about all of the workers who will soon be without a job.

“It really affects us because it’s a lot of jobs lost, it’s a lot of tax base that’s going to be lost from the community,” Flowers said.

Flowers says moving the terminal to Mount Pleasant would keep those people employed. He also argued that the terminal could be a major economic driver for Mount Pleasant.

However, town leaders like Mayor Will Haynie are opposed.

Haynie said during public input that Patriots Point doesn’t have any land left to accommodate a cruise docking.

Council member Jake Rambo agrees, “Cruise ships are not right for Mount Pleasant. I’ve heard resoundingly from our residents and citizens that this is not something they want for our town.”

Leaders also brought up a state law that prohibits cargo or passenger-related vessels from using Patriots Point.

Rambo says he thinks there are better options for a cruise terminal relocation, “I understand the union and the jobs that would be involved. I think there are better places, better fits for the cruise ships. I’m a resounding no.”

Flowers is asking council to take time to weigh the pros and cons before shutting the idea down completely.

“We’re here asking the town to at least consider all the relevant ideas or proposals that are on the table and don’t just say no without taking a really good look at it,” Flowers said.

After public input, council members took a vote to send a request to the Ports Authority, asking for their opinion on this issue.

Council also passed a resolution that supports the state law prohibiting ships at Patriot’s Point.